Sunday, October 31, 2010

Bugibba, Qawra, St Julian's & Paceville

We recently explored the "tourist areas" of Malta that we hadn't actually seen before - Bugibba and Qawra. Bugibba and Qawra (pronounced Buj-eeb-bah and ow-rah) are located in the north of Malta on the coast. They are tourist resort areas that hug the rocky coast and expansive salt pans of two bays. There is a great coastal walk way along both bays but the area is very touristy and therefore quite sleepy in late October.

Monument in St Julians, the marble globe rotates as the water moves under it

Later the same day we went to St Julians and Paceville (pronounced pa-chay-ville). St Julians is the adjacent town to Sliema and Paceville is the next town north of St Julians. Sliema, St Julians and Paceville form an urban and "young" tourist area that has great shops, restaurants, coastal access and nightlife. Paceville is best known as the bar district, as the entire town is dedicated to all things entertainment with a large mall and arcade (the only place in Malta open seven days a week and until 10 pm!), cinema and bowling complex, a small sandy beach, and countless bars and restaurants that spill out onto the streets.

View of Balluta Bay in St Julian's including the Neo-Gothic Our Lady of Carmel Church and the Art Deco Balluta Buildings. M loves the big Lido (pool and leisure club) also pictured, built on top of the water in the Bay

The LOVE mounment at Spinola Bay in St Julian's

Don't be fooled by the coat, it was 8 pm and a balmy 20 degrees on October 30th